The Ibrox faithful’s recent frustrations were compounded when highly rated midfielder Lewis Macleod was offloaded last week to Brentford for £850,000.

The 20-year-old has been an essential member of the Glasgow side’s team this term, starting 13 league games and scoring three goals in impressive performances.

However, with the club said to have financial worries once more, Macleod was allowed to leave Ibrox for Championship side Brentford recently.

The Scotland under-21 star, who is a product of the club’s youth system, has admitted that he was upset by the manner of his exit and that he may well have considered staying if Rangers had made more of an effort to keep him.

“When you’re a Rangers fan, it’s hard to let go and I’ve never experienced anything else in football up to now,” The Daily Mail quote Macleod as saying.

“I definitely wasn’t eager to get out the door but when the opportunity came, with everything that was happening outside football at the club, I leant towards moving away.

“It all happened very quickly. If things had maybe happened differently off the pitch with regards to the club trying to keep me when someone came in, I might have stayed. I didn’t have much time to process it but it’s done now and I’m looking forward to a different challenge.”

Macleod admitted that his move south may well have annoyed some Rangers fans but he has stated that he feels a close bond to the club and would relish the opportunity to move back to Ibrox down the line.

“I’d love to go back to Rangers later in my career,” the midfielder continued.

“The most disappointing thing about leaving is the way I went. I’ve been injured so I wasn’t able to play my last game knowing that would be the case and say goodbye to the fans.

“I’d obviously like to be welcomed back at some point but I understand why some supporters might not appreciate my reasons for going.”

Gareth McKnight

I am a freelance football journalist from Northern Ireland, currently living and working from Broome in Western Australia. After a degree in sports journalism from the University of Stirling in Scotland, I started in the online football world and have worked for leading websites and media outlets since. My knowledge and passion is based around the Premier League and European football, but I also have a soft spot for the Australian A-League.